The word "the Pentagon" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet with the symbol /ðə ˈpɛntəɡɑn/. The first syllable "the" is spelled with the voiced dental fricative /ð/ and the vowel sound /ə/. The second syllable "Pen" is spelled with the voiceless bilabial stop /p/ and the vowel sound /ɛ/. The final syllable "ta" is spelled with the voiced velar nasal /ŋ/ and the vowel sound /ɑ/. This spelling represents the correct pronunciation of the name of the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.
The Pentagon refers to a massive five-sided building located in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., which serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. Specifically, the term is often used to refer to the building itself, but it can also describe the entire complex of buildings and facilities affiliated with the Department of Defense.
Constructed between 1941 and 1943, this concrete and steel structure was designed by architects George Bergstrom and David J. Witmer. The Pentagon boasts a distinct five-sided shape and includes approximately 6.6 million square feet of space, making it one of the largest office buildings in the world. It houses a vast number of offices, conference rooms, command centers, and military facilities that are crucial in coordinating national defense strategies and operations for the United States armed forces.
Not only does the Pentagon serve as the nerve center for military planning and decision-making, but it also houses various military departments, such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, along with numerous defense agencies and intelligence organizations. These entities work in concert to administer and oversee defense policies, budgeting, research and development, and recruitment for the nation's military activities.
The Pentagon symbolizes the extensive military power and operational capability of the United States. It serves as an iconic representation of American military strength and the resilience of the nation's defense infrastructure. Additionally, the term "the Pentagon" is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to the United States Department of Defense and its collective functions and operations.
The word "Pentagon" is derived from the Greek words "penta" meaning "five" and "gonia" meaning "angle" or "corner". The term was initially used in mathematics and geometry to describe a polygon with five angles or sides, representing a five-sided shape. The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, commonly known as "The Pentagon", was named after this geometric shape due to its distinctive five-sided design. The building is located in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.